Strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines



April 30, 1940.

R. H. LAWSON STRAND-FEEDING DEVICE FOR KNITTING AND LIKE MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 19, 1938 JZZZPM .9.

April 1940. R. H. LAWSON 2.199.263

STRAND-FEEDING DEVICE FOR KNITTING AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug. 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1940. R. H. LAWSON 2,199,253

STRAND-FEEDING DEVICE FOP. KNITTING AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug. 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I fivefllbi" KOBE/e7- H.L/4wsov Zomwys April 30, 1940. R. H. LAWSON v 2,199,263

STRAND-FEEDING DEVICE FOP. KNITTING AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug. 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 C 14 ,16:

7/5 I v m3;- 7Z2- 1 7 .I 55 5 :53:. i i i 9 .95 53 1110671501 ,9; ROBE/2T H. Lflwso/v b fig Wit 507 77635 Patented ,Apr. 30, 194

STRAND-FEEDlNG DEVICE FOR KNITTING AND LIKE MACHINES Robert H. Lawson,- Pawtucket, B. I., assignor to Scott & Williams, Incorporated, Laconia, N. E, a corporation of Massachusetts v Application August 19, 1938, Serial No. 225,760

16 Claims.

This invention consists in a device for feeding or delivering elastic or non-elastic strands to knitting and like machines to maintain a uniform elongation of, or a constant tension on, the

strands as they are taken up by the fabric.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated adapted to feed a strand or strands intermittently in accordance with their take-up during the reciprocating operation of a knitting or like machine. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated forintermittently',

feeding the strand or strands to the fabric in timed'relation to the reciprocation of the strandguide or guides which traverse them back and forth across the knitting needles in forming the courses of loops-in the fabric.

Another object of theinvention is to provide in a device ofthe type indicated means for opergo ating the strand-feeding device with a'variable speed in accordance. with the change in reciprocating speed of the strand-guide or guides.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strand-feeding device particularlyadapted for 25 feeding elastic strands such as rubber threads to maintain a uniform elongation thereof between the feeding means and the fabric. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a strand-feeding device of the type indicated 30 which is adapted for attachment to knitting machines of standard type without material alteration in the structure or arrangement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strandfeeding device of the type indicated in 35 which the mechanism is of simple construction,

efficient in operation and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes 4 two embodiments .of'the device, by way of exam ple, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.-

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a Lamb type knitting machine for producing flat fabrics 45 showing the present improved device as applied to use therewith;

Fig, 2 is an end view of the same; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the reciprocating means for the elastic and yarn strands in positions opposite to that shown in Fig.1; 1 Fig. 4 is an end'view' of a portion of the strandfeeding device showing the driving means for the feed-roll; 55 Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the means for inter- 1 showing the feed-roll; I p

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the feed- 15 mittently traversing. the belt or chain which drives the feed-roll;

Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating different positions of the means for traveling the feed-roll drive-belt or chain in com- 5 parison with-the different positions of the strandguides of the knitting machine;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view 'illustrating'the path of movement of the elastic strand in comparison with the rotary motion of the feed-roll; 10

Fig. 11 is an elevational view. of a modified form of the strand-feeding device; Fig. 12 is-a plan view of a portion of the same roll on'line I3+l3 of'Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an end view of a portion of the knitting machine shown in connection with the strand-feeding device;

Fig. 15 is a planxview of the same, part sectional on line l5-l5 of Fig. 11; Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the'feedroll driving means taken ,on line I 6 -16 of Fig.

11; and Fig. 17 is a rearward view of the feed-roll driving means showing the shifting pawl.

The present invention is herein illustrated as applied to a ,Lamb type knitting machine arranged for knitting flat fabrics from textile yarns and/or elastic strands. The machine is arranged for plating the yarns, that'is for simultaneously knitting two strands side by side and the strands may be both of textile material or one strand may be elastic and. the other nonelastic. In the present application, however, L have preferred to illustrate 'thestrand-feeding means as adapted for feeding an elastic strand in plating it with a textile strand'so that the textile strand appears on the outer surfaces of the fabric while the elastic strand is knitted into 40 the center thereof and hidden by the yarn. A textile thread or yarn such as cotton, silk, rayon or the like and a rubber or other elastic strand are thus plated to form elastic webbing or the like with therubber hidden from view. In this j type of" machine two reciprocating guides are employed for traversing the different strands, one

for the textile strand and the other for the elastic strand. The guide for traversing the yarn strand is mounted fixedly on the reciprocating carriage of the machine, while the guide for the elastic strand is pivotally mounted thereon. to adapt it" to have a limited swinging movement with respect to the yarn-guide. During the plating operation the yarn strand precedes the elastic strand in its traverse back and forth across the width of the fabric in forming the courses of loops. .The guides for the yarn and elastic strands have an extent of traverse slightly greater than the distance between the edges of the fabric, before the direction of their traverse is reversed,

whereby to provide that all the needles will have been manipulated before the reverse stroke is started. As the guide for the yarn strand reverses its movement the guide for the elastic or synchronized with the traverse of the guide Forand the take-up of the strand by the fabric. thispurpose the present invention provides a device operated directly from the reciprocating means of the knitting machine for intermittently rotating the feed-roll at a definite speed to maintain a uniform elongation of the elastic strand. It is also noted that the traversing means of the knitting machine is usually driven by a crankmotion and therefore the turning of the feed-roll which is operateddirectly from the traversing means will have a varying speed in accordanc with the motion of the crank.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings, the reference character 2 designates a bench or table surmounted by an angular bracket 3 to which the head 5 of the knitting machine may be attached in any suitable manner as by means of clamp-screws B. The machine head 5 is of usual construction comprising a triangular portion 1 mounting the needle bed 8 in which the knitting needles 9 are reciprocable by means of suitable cams, not herein shown.

A triangularly-shaped carriage ID has opposite runners mounted to slide in grooved ways l2 fast on the machine head 5. The carriage I0 is reciprocated by means of a crank-motion l5 shown at the right in Figs. 1 and 3. In the form as herein illustrated, the crank-motion comprises a crank I6 fast on the end of a shaft I! which is journaled in a bearing on a standard or bracket I8 mounted on the table 2 at the right of the knitting head. At its opposite end the shaft 11 carries a bevel-gear IS in mesh with a smaller bevel-pinion 20. The pinion 20 is fast on the end of a shaft 2|, also journaled in a bearing on the standard l8, and carries fast and loose pulleys 22 and 23 at its outer end. The shaft 2| may be driven from a belt passing around the fast pulley 22 to thereby rotate the pinion 2B and drive the gear L! to rotate the crank l6. Connected to the crank-pin 25 is a piston or connecting rod 26, the opposite end of which is pivotally joined to a stud 2'! projecting through a boss at the end of an arm 28 on the'carriage Ill.

The carriage l0 straddles the needle-bed 8 saddlewise and fastened to its forward inclined side is a yarn-guide 30. The yarn-guide 30 is of angular shape with a portion projecting downwardly towards the top of the needles 9 and provided at its end with'an eye 3| through which the strand of yarn y leads. The guide 32 for the elastic strand is of somewhat diiferent form having a head at one end adjacent the top of the needles 9 with an eye 33 for the elastic strand r to pass through and an auxiliary guiding eye on a projection 34' on the head. Referring particu larly to Fig. 3, the guide 32 is pivoted to the rearward side of the carriage H1 at 35 to adapt it to rock back and .forth to a limited extent with respect to the fixed yarn-guide 30. The rocking motion of the strand-guide 32 is limited by the confines of a slot in a cover 36 overlying the guide. The elements thus far described vary in construction with different types of machines, but suffice it to state that they constitute the main operating mechanism of the knitting machine when adapted for plating and with which the present device cooperates.

The device of the present invention consists essentially in a feed-roll 40 for delivering the elastic strand with its driving means actuated from the traversing carriage In of the knitting machine to intermittently rotate the feed-roll. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the feed-roll 40 is driven from a link-belt or chain 4| through means as next described. The feed-roll 4|! may be of frusto-conical shape, as shown in Figs. 1

and 3, and is mounted fast on a shaft 42 journaled in bearings in the forks of a bifurcated bracket 43. The feed-roll 4a is located above the knitting machine and may be conveniently mounted on an upright or standard in the form of a rod 44' supported in a step-bearing 45 secured to the top of the table 2. The bracket 43 may be attached to a block or mounting 46 bored to receive the rod 44 and secured fast thereon by means of a set-screw 41. A sprocket-Wheel 48 fast on the end of the shaft 42 is employed for driving the roll from the link-belt or chain 4|. The conical form of the feed-roll 40 provides for regulating the extent of feed of the elastic strand r at each rotation of the roll by causing the strand to make a greater or lesser amount of wrap around the roll. To hold the strand to its adjusted position on the tapered surface of the roll a presser roller 49 may be employed. As herein shown, the presser roller 49 is journaled between opposite arms 50 pivoted to a support 5| which is slidable along the horizontal portion of an angular bracket 52 attached to the bracket 43. A helical spring 53 anchored to the support 5| 'is connected to the arms 50 to press the roller 49 against the strand 1' as it leads around the feedrOll 40.

The chain 4| for driving the feed-roll 40 leads downwardly from the sprocket-wheel 48 to a pair of sprockets 55 and 56 and is thence directed laterally in two parallel horizontal paths as it passes around a third sprocket 51. The sprocketwheels 55 and 56 are journaled on studs 58 sebracket 60 which may be supported on the vertical standard or rod 44'. For this purpose the bracket 60 is secured to an arm 6| mounted on the rod 44 and fastened thereto by means of a set-screw 62. The sprocket 51 is journaled on a stud 63' which is secured fast in an elbow-shaped member 64 mounted to slide on the horizontal portion of the L-shaped bracket 60. The offset portion of the member 64 seats across the top of the horizontal portion of the bracket 60 and a bolt 65 passing through a slot 66 in the bracket has a nut 'on its end for clamping the member 64 in fixed position. By this means the member 64 may be slid longitudinally of the horizontal portion of the bracket 60 and secured in position to tighten the belt or chain 4| passing around the series of sprockets.

The chain 4| is traversed intermittently, always in the same direction, by means carried on the reciprocatingcarriage ll) of the knitting machine. Mounted on an offset arm 69 which rises from the carriage I0 is a bracket 10 secured fixedly thereto by screws H.

cured in the upright portion 59 of an L-shaped The bracket 10 the lower reach of the chain; the pin I3 being disposed in offset relation with respect to the pin I2 by being mounted on an L-shaped arm I6 screwed tow the rearward side of the bracket III.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that when the carriage i0 moves to the right, as viewed in Fig.1, the pin I3 will engage with one of the hooks IS on the lower reach of the chain ll to traverse the latter in the same direction.- On the other hand, when the traverse of the carriage III is reversed the pin I2 will engage one of the hooks on the upper reach of the chain 4| to traverse this portion of the chain to the left'in the manner indicated in Fig. 3. In this way the chain is given an intermittent traversing motion in the same direction during each reciprocation of the carriage 10in either direction, the result being to cause the feed-roll 40 to be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig, 2 whereof to feed the elastic strand 1' downwardly to the guide 32 of the knitting machine. It is to be noted that the speed of the roll 40 is adjusted to feed the elastic strand 1' at such a rate that it will be elongated between the roll and the guide 32, variations in the rate of feed being effected by regulating the position of the strand on the-tapered surface of the roll 40. That is to say, if a greater or lesser rate of feed is required the strand may be shiftedone way or the other on'the surface of thefeed-roll 40 to cause the latter to pay off more or less of the strand at each rotation of the roll.

When the lower pin I3 is traversing the lower reach of the chain ll to the right the hooks I5 on the upper reach of the chain will slide over the upper pin I2 in the manner of a ratchet as indicated in the detailed view, Fig. 5. -That is to say, the upper reach of the chain will be raised slightly to allow the inclined portions of the hook to slideacross the pin I2 and the. same is true as regards the passage of the hooks over the lower pin.I3 when the direction of traverse of the carriage I0 is reversed. In order that the lowerreach of the chain shall not sag to the extent that the pin I3 will not engage properly with the hooks IS-a hold-up spring I! may be arranged on the under side of thechain as shown in Fig. 1.

The spring 11 may be of the leaf-type fastened to a ledge on a bracket I3 secured to the bracket 60. The arcuate portion 01' the spring 11 underlies the lower reach of the chain ll to adapt the latter to slide freely thereover and a similar arcuately curved spring I9 fastened to the upper portion.-

of the-bracket "I3 may be located to bear against the upper reach of the chain 4|. The purpose of this latter-spring is to prevent the chain 4| from vibrating or jumping to throw its hook I5,

out of range of the pin I2.- The sprin s I1 and I! are adapted to yield readily as the pins 12 and I3 pass the hooks in the manner indicated in Fig.

5. The construction and arrangement of a preferred form of the present invention having now been described, the method of operation of the device will next be explained.

when power is applied to the drive-pulley 22 its shaft 2| rotates the pinion to turn the gear I9 and shaft II carrying the crank it. The crank it acts through the connecting rod 26 to reciprocate the carriage ll back and forth with respect to the needles 9 as the latter are manipulated through the action of suitable cams, not

herein shown or described. As the carriage l0 reciprocates in opposite directions it traverses the guides 30 and 32 across the row of needles 3 and" the courses of loops are formedto plate the two strands y and r into the fabric. As before noted,

the textile strand y precedes the elastic strand 1' to the position indicated in Fig. 7 the upper pin 12 comes into engagement with one of the hooks I! on the upper reach of the chain 4i and the chain is given a traversing motion in the;direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 to cause the feed-roll 4|! to be rotated. As the feed-roll 40 'is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 the elastic strand 1 will be fed to the fabric in synchrony with the reciprocating movementof the guide 32 and with the required elongation in accordance with the rate of feed of the strand. Fig. 8 illustrates the guide 32' as having reached the end of its traverse to the left and as having been rocked to a position opposite may proceed to a slight extent beyond this edge of the fabric in order that the needles may complete their cycle in the operation of the knitting machine. The carriage III is thereafter moved toward the right and .when it arrives at the position shown in Fig. 9, the lower pin 13 will come into engagement with one of the hooks of the bottom reach of the chain 4|, to cause the latter to be again traversed to rotate the feed-roll 40 to an extent sufficient to pay off the strand 1 as it is taken up by the fabric during its course thereacross. It is here noted that the spacing of the hooks I5 on the chain M is such that the traverse of the chain 4| in either direction starts at the point where the guide 32 is positioned inwardly from the edge of the fabric at a distance substantially equal to the distance the guide moves outwardly beyond the edge of the fabric and thus the turning of the roll 40 and the feed of the strand 1 is synchronized'with the cooperative action of the guide and the needles. On, the other hand, the traverse of the chain may continue dotted lines indicating the path of the strand 1' while the feed-roll is stationary,

, relatively broad contact surface.

bearings 82 of a forked bracket 03 which is attached to a shelf 85 mounted fast on a standard or rod 86 supported in a step-bearing 81 secured to the table of the knitting machine. A pressure roll 88 is journaled at the end of arms 89 pivoted to an elbow-shaped bracket 90 fastened to the shelf 85; being pressed into contact with the strand r by means of a spring 9I. The strand 1- leads from its supply, not herein shown, through a pigtail-guide 92, is given a full turn around the periphery of the feed-roll 90, and thence feeds down through a second pigtail-guide 93 to the reciprocating traverse-guide .95 of the knitting machine shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Suitable stopping mechanism is usually provided for arresting the operation of the knitting machine when the strand breaks or its supply is exhausted, an electrical stop-device being shown in Figs. 11 to 13, but not herein described as it forms no part of the present invention.

Fastened to the reciprocating carriage 96 of the knitting machine by means of angle-shaped brackets 91 and 98 is a rectangularly-shaped frame I00, shown most clearly in Figs. 11 and 15. The frame I comprises top and bottom horizontal strips or bars IM and I02 tied together by three crossbars I03. Overlying the back of the two horizontal strips IOI and I02 of the frame I00 are two similar shorter strips or bars I04 and I05, one at the top to the left and the other at the bottom to the right. The bars I04 and I have secured to their edges strips I06 and I01 of fiber, leather or other suitable material for providing a friction drive. The bars I 04- and I05 are fastened to the horizontal strips IM and I02 by means of screws I00 passing through slots I09 and H0 in the bars and screwed into the strips as shown in Figs. 11 and 16. By this means the bars I04 and I05 may be adjusted longitudinally of the frame I00, it being noted that the fiber or leather material underlies the edge of the upper strip IM and overlies the top of the strip I02 of the frame I 00 to provide a The two fiber strips I06 and I01 are adapted to make contact with a friction drive-wheel II5 having its periphery covered with a similar material.

The drive-wheel I I5 is of slightly less diameter than the distance between the faces of the two fiber strips I06 and I01 so that its periphery will engage with only one face at a time, means being provided for shifting the axis of the wheel vertically to cause it to alternately engage first one contact strip and then the other strip. For this latter purpose the wheel H5 is mounted on a stud II6 projecting from the end of a rotary shaft or spindle H1 in eccentric relation to the axis thereof. The shaft H1 is mounted in a bearing II8 at'the top of a bracket or standard II9 secured to the bench or table of the knitting machine. Pinned or otherwise made fast to the rearward end of the shaft H1 is an arm I which acts as a crank or pawl to rock the shaft to raise and lower the friction wheel H5. The

pawl I20 is thrown across center by means carried on the reciprocating frame I 00 and is limited in its rocking movement by a pair of stops I2I and I22 on the standard I I9 as shown most clearly in Figs. 14 and 17. A helical spring I23 anchored to the base of the standard I I9 is secured to a pin I24 projecting rearwardly from the end of the arm or pawl I20 to adapt it to act resiliently to. maintain the pawl in whichever position it may be shifted to. Fast on the stud H6 at the rear of the friction-wheel H5 is a grooved pulley I25, the wheel and pulley being keyed together by suitable means such as the screw I26 shown in Fig. 16. The pulley I v.the fiber strip I01 at the right-hand lower end of the frame I00. When the pawl I20 is rocked to the left it will raise the friction-wheel II5 to engage its periphery with the opposite fiber strip I06, the reversal in the position of the drivewheel being made at each end of the traverse of the frame I00, moving with the carriage 96. The pawl I20 is shifted by means of wedge-blocks I30 and I3I carried on a U-shaped frame I32 projecting rearwardly from the main frame I00, as shown in Figs. 11, 14 and 15. The wedgeblocks are slotted longitudinally to adapt them to straddle the horizontally-extending rearward bar I33 of the U-shaped frame I32 fastened to the back of the frame I00. through slots I35 in the bar are provided for holding the wedge-blocks in position while permitting them to be adjusted longitudinally of the frame I00. It will be observed by reference Screws I34 passing to Fig. 11 that when the frame I00 is moving in t the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 11 the right-hand wedge-block I3I will engage the pawl I20 to rock it across center to raise the friction-wheel I I5 away from the contact strip I01; while, on the other hand, when the frame I00 is moving in the opposite direction the lefthand wedge-block I30 will engage the pawl I 20 to rock it across .center to release the frictionwheel I I5 from the upper strip and throw it down into engagement with the lower strip. The method of operation of the complete device as embodied in this last-described construction is as next explained.

Assuming that the carriage 96 of the knitting machine is moving toward the left and carrying the frame I00 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 11 the drive-wheel II5 will be in engagement with the lower friction strip I01 whereby it is rotated in a clockwise direction. The pulley I25 at the rear of the friction-wheel II5 will therefore turn the connected pulley I28 to rotate the feed-roll in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13. The strand T will thus be fed downwardly to the guide on the carriage 96 of the knitting machine with an elongation therein which is regulated by adjusting the position of the wrap of the strand on the tapered surface of the roll 80. As the knit ting machine carriage 96 and frame I00 approach the limit of their traverse to the left the wedgeblock I3I will come into contact with the arm or pawl I20 and as the movement of the frame is continued the pawl will be rocked across center to turn the shaft or spindle H1 and thereby shift the position of the eccentric stud II6 to lift the drive-wheel II5 away from the friction strip I01. Immediately the drive-wheel I I5 is-released from the strip I01 on the frame I00 its rotation will be arrested while as the pawl I20 comes into contact with the stop I2I, see Fig. 17, the drive-.

. 9,199,268 wheel will be raised to a position for its periphery 1 another course of the two strands into the fabric the frame "I00 will be moved to engage the strip I 01 with the periphery of the drive-wheel H5. The position of the strips I06 and I01 on the frame I00 and the relationshipv of the wedge blocks I30 and I3I thereto is adjusted so that. there is an interval before the wheel H5 is engaged with the strip I06. In other words, there is a lag between the intervals of rotation of the wheel H5 under the driving action of the'two strips I06 and I01, this-lag or pause occurring as the strands are carried out beyond the edges of the fabric at each stroke of the carriage in either direction.

As the strip I06 comes into engagement with the periphery of the wheel 5' during the traverse of the'carriage 96 and fframe I00 to. the right, as viewed in Fig. 11, the wheel will be rotated in the same direction as previously to again turn the pulley to cause the pulley- I to drive through the belt I21 and pulley 128 to rotate thefeed-roll 80 forwardly in the manner as explained before. Rotation of thewheel H5 and the feed-roll 80 driven therefrom will continue for an interval until the left-hand wedge block I strikes the pawl I20 and rocks it back into the position shown in Fig; 11 at which juncture the wheel will again engage the lower friction strip I01 to be driven from the movement of the frame I00 towards the left. In this way the friction-wheel H5 is driven intermittently to rotate the feed-roll to periodically feed a. length of strand 1' to the thread-guide in synchrony with the reciprocation of the latter in laying the courses of strand material across the fabric.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides two preferred forms of construction of an ingenious device for translating reciprocatory motion into rotary motion to feed elastic strands, either uncovered or covered, to knitting and like machines while preserving a uniform elongation of the strand as it is taken up by the fabric. On the other hand, as before stated, my improved strand-feeding means is equally well adapted to deliver one or a plurality of non-elastic strands such as yarns to a knitting machine, for example, in full-fashioned machines employing yarn-control or yarnfurnishing devices such as shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,420,530 to Drumheller, issued June 20, 1922, or U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,562,829 to 4 I Iowie, issued November 24, 1925. In the former case the conical feed-rolls and in the latter case the toothed yarn-furnishing wheels may be driven by the mechanism of the present invention. In 'ither case, the mechanism operates efllciently 0 effect the feed of the strand or strands in perfect harmony or synchrony with the knitting operation whereof the fabric produced in the machine is maintained uniform in texture and fluish. Whenan elastic strand is being knitted the rubber strand is hidden between the opposite surfaces of the fabric due to the tension imposed thereon as set forth in U. 8. Letters Patent No.;

or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination of a rotary strand-feeding element, a flexible transmission means for rotating the strand-feeding element, said transmission means extending in opposite parallel courses, a reciprocatory member, and meansactuated by said reciprocatory member to alternately engage opposite courses of the transmissionmeans to rotate'the strand-feeding element in a given direction.

7 2. In combination with the reciprocating means of a knitting *or like machine, a rotary strandfeeding means, a belt for rotating the strandfeeding means, and means for intermittently engaging the reciprocating means with the belt to drive the strand-feeding means in synchrony with the knitting operation.

3. In a knitting or like machine, the combination of traversing means for a strand, means for reciprocating the traversing means, a rotary element for feeding the strand, a chain for rotating the strand-feeding means, said chain being directed in opposite courses parallel to the path of the reciprocating means, and meansfor engaging the reciprocating means alternately with the opposite courses of the chain to rotate the strandfeeding means in synchrony with the traversing means. e

' 4. In a knitting or like machine, the combination of means for traversing a strand, means for reciprocating said traversing means, a rotary element for feeding the strand, a chain for rotating saidelement, said chain leading in opposite courses in parallel relation to the path of the reciprocating means, hooks spaced at intervals on said chain, and means actuated by the reciprocating means for alternately engaging the hooks on the opposite courses of the chain. 5. In a knitting or like machine, the combination of strand-traversing means, means for reciprocating the strand-traversing means, a rotary strand feeding element, a sprocket connected to said element, a chain engaging the sprocket, idler sprockets for directingv said chain in opposite courses in parallel relation to the path of the reciprocating means, and means carried by the reciprocating means for alternately engaging with the chain in its opposite courses to intermittently travel the chain to rotate the feeding element in a given direction.

6. In a knitting or like machine, the combination of means for traversing a strand; means for reciprocating the traversing means, a rotary strand-feeding element, a belt for rotating said element, and means operated by and with the reciprocating means for periodically engaging the belt at different points therealong to travel the latter in one direction to rotate the strand- Y feeding element.

'7. In a knitting or like machine, the combination 'ofmeans for traversing a strand, means for reciprocating the traversing means in opposite directions, a rotary strand-feeding element, a belt connected to rotate the strand-feeding element, means for directing said.- belt in opposite courses'in parallel relation to the path of the reciprocating means, inclined hooks on the belt arranged at intervals therealong, and means car ried by the reciprocating means and adapted to engage the hooks of one course when moving in one direction and to engage the hooks of the opposite course in moving in the reverse direction whereby to travel the belt in the same direction to intermittently rotate the strand-feeding element.

8. In combination with the reciprocating means of a knitting or, like machine, strand-feeding means therefor comprising a rotary element engaged by the strand, 2. friction-wheel connected to rotate the strand-feeding element, and means actuated from the reciprocating means of the machine to alternately engage the opposite sides of the friction-wheel to intermittently turn the latter to rotate the strand-feeding element.

9. In combination with the reciprocating means of a knitting or like machine, strandfeeding means therefor comprising a rotary element engaged by the strand, a friction-wheel connected to drive the strand-feeding element, a rectangular frame connected to be reciprocated from the reciprocating means of the machine,

and friction means on said frame for alternately engaging the opposite-sides of the friction-wheel to turn the latter in the same direction to intermittently rotate the strand-feeding element.

10. In a strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination with the reciprocating means of. the machine, of a rotary strandfeeding element, a friction-wheel connected to rotate said element, means connected with the reciprocating means of the machine and alternately engageable with the opposite sides of the friction-wheel, and means for automatically shifting the relative position of the friction-wheel and said engaging means to cause the latter to engage first one side of the wheel and then its opposite side as the direction of reciprocation of the recip rocating means is reversed.

11. In a strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination with the reciprocating means of said machine, of a rectangular frame reciprocated therefrom, friction strips on the opposite horizontal sides of said frame, a wheel having friction means on its periphery adapted to be engaged by the friction means on the frame, a rotary strand-feeding means connected to be driven from said frictionwheel, and means for shifting the positionof the friction-wheel to adapt it to engage the friction means on first one side and then the opposite side ofthe frame as the latter is reciprocated in opposite directions.

12. In a strand-feeding device, the combination with a reciprocatory frame having parallel bars provided with friction surfaces, a wheel having friction means on its periphery for engaging with the friction means on the frame, a rotary strandfeeding element connected to be rotated from said wheel, means to reciprocate the frame, and means for automatically shifting the felative position.

of the frame and wheel to cause the latter to engage the friction means on one bar of the frame ing the periphery of the wheel at opposite points thereon, means for reciprocating said member, and means actuated by said reciprocating member to cause the friction-wheel to be engaged alternately at opposite points on its periphery to strand-feeding means.

14. In a strand feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination of a rotary strandfeeding element, a friction-wheel connected to rotate said element, an eccentric mounting for turn the wheel in one direction to drive the said wheel, means for operating said mounting to shift the wheel into different positions, a reciprocating frame having opposed friction means for engaging the periphery of the wheel at opposite point's thereon, means to reciprocate said frame, and means on said frame for engaging the eccentric-operating means to shift the wheel first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to cause it to alternately engage the friction means on the frame at opposite points on its periphery to rotatethe wheel in a given direction.

15. In a strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination of strand-feeding means, a reciprocating carriage, means mounted independently of the carriage for operating the strand-feeding means, driving means on the carriage, and driven means on the operating means, said driving and driven means being arranged in longitudinally spaced relationship'in the path of movement of the-carriage whereby to permit relative movement of said driving and driven means during a portion of the stroke of the carriage and driving engagement therebetween during the remainder of the stroke.

16. In a strand-feeding device for knitting and like machines, the combination of strand-feeding means, means for operating the strand-feeding means, a reciprocating carriage, driving means on the carriage, and driven means on the operating means, one of said driving and driven means having opposed parallel courses and the other means being positioned between the parallel courses and arranged in longitudinally spaced relationship in the path of movement of the carrlage whereby to permit relative movement of the driving and driven means during a portion of the stroke of the carriage and driving engagement therebetween during the remainder of the stroke.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

